The MV Empress, India’s first international cruise vessel, sets out on its inaugural voyage from Chennai to Sri Lanka.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal was present during the flagged-off ceremony.

It marks the beginning of the international cruise tourism terminal at Chennai, built at Rs 17.21 crores, heralding a new age of cruise tourism & maritime trade in the country.

The cruise service is a result of an MoU signed during the first Incredible India International Cruise Conference in 2022 between Chennai Port and M/S Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt Ltd to start domestic and international cruise services.

In a government statement it said that, With an overwhelming response by 85,000 passengers availing the cruise service through 37 vessels for the domestic circuit, it is expected that the opening up of the international circuit will further amp up the business of cruise tourism in the region. The modern cruise terminal developed at Chennai Port is spread over an area of 2,880 square meters with the ability to host 3,000 passengers at a time.

The cruise service will sail to three Sri Lankan ports viz. Hanbantota, Trincomalee, and Kankesanturei. The tour packages on board MV Empress will be offered for 2 nights, 3 nights, 4 nights, and 5 nights. During its run at the sea, MV Empress will be touching 3 ports in Sri Lanka before returning to Chennai.

Union Minister Sonowal said, “I am happy to share that three new international cruise terminals are likely to be completed and become operational by 2024. We expect that the volume of cruise ships will increase from 208 in 2023 to 500 in 2030 and up to 1100 by 2047. Consequently, the number of passengers availing cruise services is also likely to increase from 9.5 lakhs in 2030 to 45 lakhs in 2047.”